Bench assembled circuit breaker operating mechanism



July 14, 1953 E. c. GOODWIN BENCH ASSEMBLED CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 2'7 1951 @Wowwwg July 14,1953 c, GOODWIN 2,645,699

BENCH ASSEMBLED CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 27 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 14, 1953 BENCH ASS'EMBLED CIRCUIT BREAKER,

OPERATING MECHANISM Edwin 'C. Goodwin; Canton Mass, assignor to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis.-

Application April 2'7, 1951, Serial No. 223,340

This invention relates to electric switchgear in general, and more particularly to electric switchgear of the compact unittype including an oil'circuit breaker, a frame for supporting the circuit breaker, and a housing for accommodating the operating and control means for the circuit breaker. I

A principal object of the invention is to provide improved switchgear which is more compact than any switchgear of the same general description which was known heretofore.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved compactand rugged switchgear unit that is suitable for outdoor service. 7 Another object of the invention is to provide a compact switchgear unit thatcan readily be assembled by combining a few self-sustained structural subunits which, in turn, may be more or less completely bench assembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved circuit breaker operating and motor means which is adapted to transmit motion across a substantially gas tight element.

Further objects and advantages will readily become apparent upon reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a preferredembodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, on a larger scale, of the circuit breaker operating mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the structure'shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a modification of the structure of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a section along the plane VI-VI of Fig. 5.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, reference sign [indicates generally a housing which is preferably formed of welded sheet metal and which may be reinforcedby iron sections. Housing structure I is of considerable dimensional strength and capable of supporting in cantilever fashion bushing support 2 for the support of bushings 3. Bushings 3 are of the type adapted for outdoor service and extend sufiiciently above the level of the top 4 of housing to provide a safe distance from any grounded parts, in particular from housing Each of the bushings 3 is provided on the inside thereof with a stud 5. The lower ends of studs 5 carry stationary contacts 6 as can best be seen in Fig. 3. Rocking lever l pivotallysupported by shaft 8 is adapted to raise or lower 5 Claims. (Cl. 200-168) crossbeam 9 by means of link Ill. Crossbeam 9 supports lift rods I I which, in turn, support movable contacts I2. Movable contacts I2 are adapted to cooperate with the stationary contacts 6 for making the circuit. In the position shown in Fig. 3, the movable contacts |2 are disengaged from the stationary contacts 6, and hence the circuit is interrupted.

Housing, l accommodates a toggle mechanism generally indicated by reference sign It for operating contact actuating rocking lever 7. Toggle mechanism i3 is adapted to be operated by a plunger I 4 of a solenoid I5. 'In the position of plunger l l shown in Figs. 1 and 3 solenoid l5 is deenergized, and the plunger is held in its upper position by spring Ida, while crossbeam 9 is in its lower or open circuit position. Toggle mech- 'anism i3 is controlled by tripping means including a plurality of tripping solenoids l6 of which each is provided with a separate dashpot lila. Contacts 6 and I2 are arranged in an oil tank H which is carried from, and closed by; bushing'sup- 'port 2 In the position of tank ll shown in Fig. 1, four rods l8 depending from bushing support 2 engage holes provided in brackets l9 on oil tank ll. Screw nuts 2!! on the lower ends of rods [8 engage brackets is on tank I! and thus press tank l1 firmly against the bushing support or top frame 2. Upon removal of nuts 29 from rods l8, tank issuspended by two cables 2| from bushing support 2. Cables 2| are arranged on opposite sides of oil tank l1 and one end of each cable 2| is attached to oil tank ll, while the opposite ends of cables 2| 'run over pulleys 22 and are secured to'a winch which comprises shaft 23, crank 24, ratchet wheel 25 and ratchet 26. Upon disengagement of ratchet 26 and ratchet wheel 25; oil tank ll may be lowered on a platform 2'! which is but'slightly above ground level. The right side of platform 21 forms a base extension of housing structure I and increases greatly the stability thereof without seriously limiting the accessibility of tank I! when it is in its lowered position. Platform 21 and housingstructu're l are interconnected by a pair'of lateral extension plates 28; the'width ofwhich is relatively large close to ground level and decreases at higher levels. On account of this fact the provision of plates 28 does not affect the accessibility of contacts 6, |2 upon lowering of tank I! upon platform 21. The back Wall 13- of housing structure I and the two extension plates 28 define a substantially U-shaped channel 14 adapted to receive oil tank when lowered from bushing support or top frame 2. Upon lowering of oil tank i! on the portion of platform 21 situated underneath of bushing support 2, tank I! can readily be carted away since the portion of the platform on which the tank rests is readily accessible from the side of the platform opposite housing or frame struct"re A pair of lateral plates 29 secured to both housing structure I and bushing support 2 further increase the strength of the switchgear unit without impairing the access to contacts 6 and I2.

Bushing support 2 forms a cantilever which supports the circuit breaker in a position permitting access thereto, free from interference by housing or frame structure I, on all sides of the circuit breaker, except the side thereof immediately adjacent structure I. As clearly shown in Fig. 1, free accessibility from the side imme diately adjacent housing structure I is not required, since the circuit breaker can conveniently be inspected and serviced from the three other sides. ports the bushings 3 of the circuit breaker in such a position as to permit convenient access thereto either from the top side and/or the bottom side of structure 2. Hence any inspection of the bushings 3 from either the top or bottom side does not offer any difficulty whatever.

A door 36 provided on the side of housing I opposite bushing support or cantilever structure 2 permits convenient access to the operatin and controlling means arranged within housing I. Opening of door 30 exposes an auxiliary panel 3| which supports various instruments 32, and is adapted to swing in door fashion to an open position to expose any parts which may be arranged in the space 33 of housing I behind auxiliary panel 3|. The geometrical axes about which door 30 and auxiliary panel 3| may be swung to their respective open position are both vertical and parallel, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, these figures show a circuit breaker mechanism which constitutes a wholly bench assembled, self-sustained structural unit that can easily be attached in a gas tight manner to the circuit breaker, and more particularly to the bushing support thereof, and can be removed from it and replaced by a similar structural unit with like ease. The operating mechanism I3 includes operating toggle 34, 35, operating lever 36 v on shaft 8 and rocking lever I which is likewise mounted on shaft 8. Rocking lever I is formed by two parallel elements and projects into the inside of bushing support 2, while toggle 34, 35 is arranged within housing I. Toggle link 34 and toggle link 35 are joined together by pin 31 adapted to be acted upon by plunger I4 of solenoid I5. Solenoid I is arranged between two spaced parallel plates 38a, and the solenoid structure includes also spacing columns 38 and screws 39. The right end of toggle lever 35 is hinged to operating lever 36 by means of pin 40. The left side of toggle link 34 is secured to latch 4| by pin 42. Latch 4| is pivotally supporting at 43 and provided with a pin 44 adapted to be engaged by bellcrank latch 45. Bellcrank latch 45 is pivoted at 46, acted upon by resetting spring 47 and pivoted at 48 to a toggle 49, 5!]. Toggle 49, 50 is normally slightly over center. If toggle 49, 56 is broken by the plunger of one of the trippin solenoids I6, pin 44 on lever 4| is free to rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, about pin 43, resulting in opening of the breaker. Two accelerating springs 5|, both acting upon shaft 40, tend to increase It will be noticed that structure 2 supthe speed of separation of contacts 6 and I2. Each of the two accelerating springs 5| is carried by one of a pair of rods 64 having on the upper end thereof a screw nut 65. Screw nuts 65 form abutments for the upper ends of springs 5|, while the lower ends of springs 5| rest against abutment blocks 66. Abutment blocks 66 are each provided with a hole for the passage of rods 64 having their lower ends hingedly connected to shaft 46.

Plunger I4 is provided on the upper end thereof with an operating element I 41) having substantially the shape of an inverted U and adapted to act upon toggle 34, when plunger I4 is moved in a downward direction to close the breaker. Element I4b may also be moved manually by lever 83 rotatable about shaft 84.

Following a tripping operation, torsion or rat trap resetting springs 86 on shaft 46 acting on pin 80a on lever 36 tend to reset toggle 34, 35 and lever 4| to their position shown in Fig. 3 by rotating toggle link 35 about shaft in a clockwise direction.

Operating mechanism I3 proper is arranged in the spaces formed between and is supported by the two parallel plates 8| and the helical accelerating springs 5| are arranged in the space immediately adjacent to, and outside of, plates 8|. Plates 8| are provided with apertures 8Ia for the passage of shaft 40.

As shown in Fig. 3, shaft 8 may be provided with an arm 52 controlling an indicator rod 53. The latter controls an indicator 54 arranged externally of housing I, as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the circuit breaker in open circuit position. Plunger I4 is held in its upper position by resetting spring Me. If solenoid I5 is being energized, plunger I4 moves in a downward direction against the action of spring I4a, moving toggle 34, 35 slightly over center. This motion of toggle 34, 35 causes rotation of arm 36, shaft 8, and rockin lever I in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3. Hence arm I is raised, resulting in raising of crossbeam 9, lift rods II and movable contacts I2. The circuit is closed upon engagement by contacts I 2 of contacts 6.

Shaft 8 is supported by a bearing member formed by a casting and generally indicated at 55. Bearing member comprises four parallel vertical wall sections 56 forming an integral part thereof. The two wall sections 5! are arranged at right angles to the four wall sections 56 and form likewise an integral part of bearing member 55. Wall sections 56 and 5! form a continuous wallstructure adapted to be intersected at more than two points by the geometrical axis of shaft 8. In the present embodiment of the invention, the continuous wall structure 56, 51 is intersected at four points by the geometrical axis of shaft 8, since each of the four parallel wall sections 56 is being intersected by it. Shaft 8 is supported at these four points of intersection by bearings of which one is arranged in each of wall sections 56. Bearing member 55 defines a group of three pockets II, I2, II having open entrance portions and closed back portions. The entrance portion of the axially outer pockets II is situated at the side of shaft 8 opposite the entrance portion of the axially inner pocket I2. It appears from Fig. 4 that the portion or section of shaft 8 which is located between the two axially inner wall sections 56 is situated on the left side of wall structure 56, 51, while the portions or sections of shaft 8, which are located each between one .5 axially inner andone axially outer wall portion 56, are situated on the right side of wall structure B, 51. The portion of shaft 8 situated on the left side of Wall structure 56, 51 is actuated by lever 36 likewise situated on the left side of wall structure 56, 51. The two portions of shaft 8 situated on the right side of wall structure 55, 51 actuate rocking lever 1 likewise situated on the right side of wall structure 56, 51. Member 55 is adapted to form a substantially gas tight seal for an aperture which, in the instant case, is an aperture 58 for the passage of lever 1 in the rear wall 59 of cantilever structure 2. In order to form a substantially gas tight seal for aperture 58, member 55 is provided on the periphery thereof with a mounting flange 60, arranged in a plane parallel to shaft 8. Flange 60 is provided with a gasket 6| and with means as, for instance, screws 52, permitting to attach flange 60 and with it member 55 in a nonpermanent 111 secure cantilever structure 2 and operating mechanism I3 to housing I.

In the manufacture of the switchgear unit a subassembly unit is formed which comprises the operating mechanism I3, the bearing member 55 and the lever 1 for operating crossbeam 9. This subassembly unit has been indicated in Fig. 5 by reference sign A. Subassembly unit A is then attached to the bushing support 2, which, together with the parts supposed to be associated with it, may form another subassembly unit B. The next larger subassembly unit obtained by uniting subassembly units A and B. i. e., by attaching flange 60 of bearing member 55 by means of screws 62 to rear wall 59 of bushing support 2, has generally been indicated in Fig. 5 by reference sign C. Upon having formed subassembly unit C the operating mechanism I3 and the solenoid structure I4, I5, 33, 38a are introduced into an opening 63 formed in housing I and arranged on the side thereof opposite of door 30. Opening 53 may be made sufficiently large to move operating mechanism I3 and solenoid structure I4, I5, 38, 38a. perfectly horizontally into housing I, which facilitates the assembly process since it eliminates the need of tilting subassembly C for introducing parts I3 and I4, I5, 38, 3811 into housing I. Upon completion of the assembly process, the large opening 63 in housing I is completely covered up by plate 59 forming the rear end of bushing support 2.

The usefulness of a subunit of the general character of unit A, i. e., of a unit which includes operating and motor means, can readily be attached to, and removed from, any other circuit breaker structure, and which is adapted to transmit the motion of the motor means across a substantially gas tight element, is not limitedto cantilever switchgear according to the present invention. Such a subunit can evidently be used in connection with various other types of switchgear.

It will also be apparent to any one skilled in the art that any other circuit breaker operating motor means could be substituted, if desired, for

the solenoid I5 shown in the preferred embodiment of the invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Similarly, any other suitable operating mechanism could be substituted, if desired, for the particular linkage I3 shown in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The operation of the switchgear unit shown in the drawings is not unlike that of switchgear units of conventional design. Energization of operating solenoid I5 results in closing of the circuit breaker, as more fully set forth above. Opening of the circuit breaker is initiated by energizing tripping solenoids I5, thus causing collapse of toggle 49, 50. This permits accelerating springs 5| to effect opening of the circuit breaker by rotating shaft 8 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows the position of the parts of the circuit breaker upon interruption of the circuit. Solenoid I5 is not energized. Consequently resetting spring |4a keeps plunger I4 in the upper position thereof. When solenoid I5 is energized, plunger I4 is moved in a downward direction. In the lower position of plunger l4, toggle 34, 35 is slightly over center, but resetting spring |4a is not able to move toggle 34, 35 in an upward direction, eventhough solenoid may be deenergized, on account of the action of accelerating springs 5| which, in that position of toggle 34, 35, exert a force componentin toggle link 35 tending to move pin 31 in a downward direction. When tripping solenoid I5 is energized, toggle 49, 50 is caused to collapse as stated above. Upon collapse of toggle 49, 50 a force component derived from accelerating springs 5| rotates lever 4| in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, about pin 43. Lever 4|, in turn, rotates lever 45 against the action of resetting spring 41 in a clockwise direction. Substantially simultaneously springs 5| rotate arm 36, shaft 8 and rocking lever 1 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3. Subsequent expansion of resetting spring causes raising of center pin 31 of toggle 34, 35 to the position shown in Fig. 3, in which position latch 45 reengages pin '44 under the bias of resetting spring 41, thus making the circuit breaker ready for another closing operation.

Features disclosed but not claimed in this application are claimed in application Serial No. 49,373 of Edwin C. Goodwin, filed September 15, 1948.

Although but a few embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent: 1

l. A self-sustained structural unit comprising circuit breaker operating means; a collapsible toggle linkage operated by said means; a shaft operated by said toggle linkage; a bearing structure for said shaft including a wall adapted to be intersected by the geometrical axis of said shaft at more than two points, sections of said shaft between said points of intersection being situated at opposite sides of said bearing structure, said bearing structure supporting said shaft at least at two of said points of intersection and being adapted to form a substantially gas tight seal for an aperture; a mounting flange on the outer periphery of said bearing structure arranged in a plane parallel to said shaft; a gasket on said flange; and means for attaching said flange in a nonpermanent way to some other structure.

2. A self-sustained structural unit comprising an operating solenoid including a plunger; a, toggle including a center pin operated by said plunger; latching means associated with one link of said toggle; a shaft operated by the other link of said toggle; bearing means for said shaft, said bearing means including a continuous Wall structure comprising a plurality of substantially p ra lel Wall portions arranged at substantially right angles to and supporting said shaft, said Wall structure defining a series of pockets having open entrance portions and closed back portions, the entrance portions of immediately adjacent pockets being situated on opposite sides of said shaft; and means for adapting said bearing means to form a substantially gas tight seal for an aperture, said adapting means including a mounting flange on the periphery of said wall structure arranged in a plane parallel to said shaft, a gasket on said flange, and means for attaching said flange in a nonpermanent way to some other structure.

3. A self-sustained structural unit including an operating solenoid comprising a plunger; a toggle comprising a center pin operated by said plunger; latching means associated with one link of said toggle; a shaft operated by the other link of said toggle; a casting forming a bearing structure for said shaft and including a wall portion adapted to be intersected by the geometrical axis of said shaft at four points, said casting forming four bearings for supporting said shaft, one at each said four points of intersection, and said casting defining a group of three pockets having open entrance portions and closed back portions, the entrance portion of the axially outer pockets being situated at the side of said shaft opposite the entrance portion of the axially inner pocket, two interbearing sections of said shaft being located in said axially outer pockets and one interbearing section of said shaft being located in said axially inner pocket; a mounting flange on the outer circumference of said casting forming an integral part thereof and arranged in a plane parallel to said shaft, a

gasket on said flange, and means for attaching said flange in a nonpermanent way to some other structure.

4. Electric switchgear of the compact unit type comprising a self-sustained subassembly unit including a top frame forming a bushing support, a partition, a contact operating lever mechanism arranged on one side of said partition, means for operating said lever mechanism arranged on the opposite side of said partition, and substantially gas tight means for transmitting the movement of said operating means through said partition to said lever mechanism; and a structure defining a housing space for accommodating said means for operating said lever mechanism, one of the lateral Walls of said structure having a cutout portion for introducing said means for operating said lever mechanism into said housing space.

5. Electric switchgear of the compact unit type comprising a self-sustained subassembly unit including a bushing support, a partition having a cutout portion, a contact operating lever mechanism arranged on one side of said partition, a shaft for operating said lever mechanism, a bearing structure for said shaft adapted to provide a substantially gas tight seal for said cutout portion and to be intersected by the geometrical axis of said shaft at more than two points, said shaft being supported by said bearing structure at least at two of said points of intersection, sections of said shaft between said points of intersection be ing located on opposite sides of. said bearing structure, a mounting flange on the outer periphery of said bearing structure arranged in a plane parallel to said shaft, means securing said flange in a nonpermanent way to said partition, a collapsible toggle linkage for operating said shaft arranged on the side of said bearing structure opposite said lever mechanism, and motor means for operating said toggle linkage arranged on the same side of said bearing structure as said toggle linkage; and a structure defining a housing space for accommodating said toggle linkage and said motor means, one of the lateral walls of said structure having a cutout portion for introducing said toggle linkage and said motor means into said housing space.

EDWIN C. GOODVVIN.

Name Date Wallace et al Apr. 17, 1951 Number 

